In Armenia, some human rights activists refuse to take part in FIDH forum

Armen Arutyunyan, the Ombudsman of Armenia, refused to speak at the forum of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) to open in Yerevan on April 6. Mr Arutyunyan said that he would take part in the forum as an invited guest and gave no other explanations. A number of Armenian human rights organizations also refused to take part in the event.

The Vanadzor Branch of the Helsinki Civil Assembly, Centre in Defence of Law and Freedoms, Helsinki Association and other organizations stated their refusal to take part in the forum.

Activists of these organizations have expressed their bewilderment that Armenian human rights defenders would not be given the floor to make main reports, whereas this opportunity would be provided to four high-ranking state officials.

Human rights activists doubt forum efficiency

Arthur Sakunts, head of the Vanadzor Branch of the Helsinki Civil Assembly, said: "Although we were warned that the agenda had been approved in Paris and cannot be changed, certain transformations nevertheless have happened. It turned out that Serzh Sargsyan refused to open the conference, and instead of him, the welcoming word will be presented by Gagik Arutyunyan, Chairman of Constitutional Court and the person who had rejected the application to challenge the totals of the forged elections in the conditions of the state of emergency. That is, the organizers made changes in the agenda; however, our proposals were ignored. We have a feeling of dealing with some power structure and struggling with it for human rights."

Mikael Danielyan, Chairman of the Helsinki Association, said in his interview to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that participation in the forum would give nothing, as the number of speakers and the schedule of the event are highly restricted. Besides, mo session is planned on the problems of Armenia, which makes any participation in the forum senseless.

Avetik Ishkhanyan, Chairman of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia, answered to the question of the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent whether he would take part in the conference as follows: "I need to clarify the format of the event. If there's a chance to run debates and express alternative viewpoints, I'll take part in the forum, otherwise - not."

Mesrop Arutyunyan, an expert of the Committee for Defence of Freedom of Speech, said that his committee planned to address the organizers with a proposal to change the format of the forum and provide Armenian human rights activists with a chance to make reports at the forum in parallel with the officials. "If our offer is accepted, we, probably, will take part in the forum," he said.

Meanwhile, Arman Danielyan, head of the Institute of Civil Society, which is the Armenian partner of the FIDH and the organizer of the forum, explained that Armenian human rights activists would be able to speak at the group sessions.

Vardan Arutyunyan, a well-known human rights activist and Chairman of the Centre in Defence of Law and Freedom, noted in his interview to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that he was grateful to the FIDH for invitation, but in the current situation in Armenia he was forced to refuse it.

The human rights activist said that after the tragic events on March 1, 2008, nothing has changed in the area of defence of human rights, same as the atmosphere of impunity and lawlessness that reigns in the country.

"And at this background we are invited to a forum, where the authors of this lawlessness would speak; while our role will be that of listeners," Mr Arutyunyan has concluded.

Mikael Danielyan has expressed his conviction that the forthcoming event is a sort of assistance to the authorities of Armenia in the context of the foreign policy pursued by them, in particular, in the issue of Armenian-Turkish relations and settlements of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: "Certainly, there are double standards, and our task is to find such people in Europe, with whom we could cooperate in the field of defence of human rights."

Arthur Sakunts said that he found unacceptable the position of the FIDH in assessment of the events on March 1. Thus, one of the latest statements of this organization runs that 10 persons became victims of clashes between policemen and opposition. "I said and say that the people perished and were wounded as a result of illegal use of weapons by the authorities," he has emphasized.

Belhassen: FIDH forum remains open for all

As to the refusal of some human rights organizations to take part in the forum, Souhayr Belhassen, Chair of the FIDH, said: "Our intention to make the forthcoming forum a start for debates on most efficient means of defending human rights. We do everything according to the settled tradition: we invite the government in order to force them to pay much attention to respect and protection of human rights. Meanwhile, the civil society is our main partner, and its representatives will take the most active part in the forum. If some organizations have refused to take part in our action, I regret. At the same time I want to emphasize that the forum is open for everyone," said Ms Belhassen.

The 37th Forum of the International Federation of Human Rights on the topic: "Justice: Effective Right to Defence before Independent Court. New Challenges" will take place on April 6-8 in Yerevan.

On the eve of the congress, the FIDH addressed the authorities of Armenia with an appeal to release all political prisoners.

President of the FIDH Souhayr Belhassen also addressed them asking to hold a trustworthy and effective investigation of the events on March 1, 2008, including the investigation into the death of ten citizens.